Meanwhile, Amazon gripes about SpaceX’s constellation plans
Rumor has it Apple’s upcoming iPhone 13 can directly use satellites in low Earth orbit for communication. If true, that means the smartphones can make calls and send text messages in regions with little or no cellular coverage, provided the handsets can reach a sat up above, MacRumors first reported on Sunday. Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reckons the iGiant’s latest phone, expected to be revealed next month, will sport a Qualcomm-designed X60 modem chip customized to support satellite connectivity. Apple has had a team working on integrating satellite comms into its iGadgets for years now, and Kuo said US-based Globalstar would be Cupertino’s most likely partner.
